Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 4:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 4:18 p.m.

“Fire Emblem: Awakening” (rated Teen) is out this week on Nintendo’s 3DS handheld and it’s getting a ton of praise from reviewers. The Japanese-style turn-based strategy game puts you in control of a custom-made hero leading a team of soldiers into battle, utilizing their different class types and skill sets.

Your comrades each have unique personalities and backgrounds, and they’ll develop friendships when put together. It’s also interesting that supporting characters require varying degrees of persuasion to join your team.

“Awakening” sounds like it has a rather conventional setting — a “fantasy world teetering on the brink of war” — but the 3D visuals are attractive and the gameplay looks very solid. To be honest, I’m just happy that the turn-based strategy genre is still alive and well.

“Awakening” offers a local multiplayer mode and lets you exchange team data and items with other players. The game retails for $40.

Sci-fi horror fans might want to check out the newly released “Dead Space 3” (360, PS3, PC; rated Mature). The latest installment once again follows engineer Issac Clarke as he fights the hideous Necromorphs and searches for the source of their outbreak.

Whereas the first two games were set on an infested space ship and space station, respectively, “Dead Space 3” has Issac crash land on the frozen planet Tau Volantis, which has its own environmental challenges and threats. You also can use scavenged materials and parts to make customized weapons and survival tools.

The most notable addition in “Dead Space 3” is the optional co-op mode featuring soldier John Carver. Other players can easily take control of Carver to drop in and out of the game, and the co-op system provides for unique story elements.

I adored the first two “Dead Space” titles and would still recommend them to any sci-fi horror fan, especially if you want to play something with an “Alien(s)” or “Event Horizon” vibe.

“Sly Cooper” is back! The lovable Thievius Racoonus returns this week for “Thieves in Time” (rated Everyone) on the PlayStation 3 and Vita handheld. It sounds like the same Sly formula: platforming, puzzling and stealth gameplay, along with big boss fights and a lighthearted story. Reviews have been decent thus far and the PS3 version retails at a very tempting $40 (or $30 on the Vita).

“Dragonborn,” the latest hefty add-on for “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim,” finally comes to PC this week for $20 on Steam. “Dragonborn” is scheduled for release on PS3 sometime this month, along with previous downloads “Dawnguard” and “Hearthfire.”

Finally, multiplayer shooter fans should take a look at “Special Forces: Team X” for 360/PC.

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